Milpitas is loaded with talent, both professional and amateur. You will find both at the Milpitas "Sing Your Heart Out" concert, dinner and singing competition on September 18. This event, which has received a great deal of community support, is sponsored by Taqueria Las Vegas and That's Yogurt in Milpitas, includes three world class performers, a popular talent competition, dinner and numerous door prizes generously donated by local businesses.

Well known performers will headline the concert. They include popular singer, songwriter and musician Manual Romero, Russell Jr. High and Milpitas High graduate, who placed in the top 20 in NBC's "America' Got Talent" and was the recipient of Silicon Valley's Most Influential Latino "People's Choice" awards. His wide range of musical styles include English and Spanish ballads, contemporary Christian, pop and romantic songs.

The youngest headliner is singing sensation Brianne Jansen, a 12 year old who has only been singing for 2 years and has won 16 Grand Champion Awards in competition. An actress, Brianne played Francis Stone in Julia Robert's 2008 movie "Kit Kittredge, an American Girl Mystery."

12 talented local singers ages 7 to 16 will perform and compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies. Many of the contestants have been active in school productions, choral groups and local theatre productions. The three individuals who will be judging the competition have all performed professionally.

Tickets are $10 for the concert and a light dinner of hot dogs and fruit, as well as chips and dessert. Concert-only tickets are $8 and dinner tickets bought at the door are $3. Dinner begins at 5 p.m., the concert is scheduled for 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Proceeds of the event will benefit Young Life, a non-denominational faith based Christian ministry that reaches out to adolescent youth through volunteers, staff, club meetings and camps by building meaningful relationships. Young Life has been active in Milpitas since 1970. It has had one of the longest consecutively active community relationships in Young Life's 60 year US history.

For admission and dinner tickets, call (408) 286-6374. For more information visit www.siliconvalleyeast.younglife.org